It Only Takes a Nanosecond...
by the Gadget Gals
If you have a computer, you should have a Surge Protector. It's that simple. Three out of three Gadget Gals agree that purchasing these devices for the health of your computer and its peripherals is a no-brainer. Your computer will work, of course, if you plug it directly into a wall outlet, but then it will be left on its own to deal with all those power spikes and surges generated when your air conditioner, garage door, or other electrical devices in your home need more power or when power surges invade your electrical lines from the outside.
When too much electric current comes through to your home, it can mean serious problems for your equipment. Although this Gadget Gal is not an electrician, she knows that the usual voltage in her home is 120 and that spikes and surges mean voltage above this number. –And it doesn't take long for damage to be done. We're talking nanoseconds here–one/billionth of a second. If you have a spike in your electricity, that's about one or two nanoseconds. A surge is anything above two nanoseconds, but both, depending upon the strength of the overvoltage, won't be appreciated by your digital equipment. While most increases in voltage won't wipe out your computer and its memory, they'll still be creating havoc within your CPU. Some, be warned, can be disastrous.
Keep in mind, however, that Surge Protectors, as wonderful as they are in safeguarding your equipment from all those nasty spikes and surges, can't protect them from things like lightning strikes or other extreme electrical surges. When you hear a thunderstorm approaching, it's best to do what I do and disconnect the Surge Protector's cord from the wall outlet. Oh yeah, if you're going on vacation, make sure to pull the plug before you leave.
Besides battling spikes and surges, Surge Protectors also provide a convenient way to plug all your devices in without using extension cords and overloading your electrical outlets. Some, like the Computer Power Center from Monster (www.monstercable.com) also offer color-coded outlets and cord labels so that you'll know which wire is which. This is definitely a plus, as this Gadget Gal knows, for I've had some real disasters after pulling out the wrong plug.
When deciding what type of to purchase, price is a good guide. Don't go for the least expensive. You can get good protection for about $30, but ultra good protection can cost you several hundred dollars. Look for a Protector that has the outlets spaced to fit what you want to plug in, for there may be some very large plugs connected to computer peripherals such as printers, additional hard drives, cameras, etc. Check to see that the Protector has a light to tell you whether it is on or off and an indicator light to tell you that it is working as it should. If you use a modem, you'll want to look for one with a modem/fax input jack. If you use cable for your Internet connections, you should consider purchasing a Cable Surge Protector, for problems with high voltage can come through cable lines as well. The price is higher for the cable models, but like the regular Protectors, prices seem to vary greatly.
No matter what, look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal and the letters TVSS (Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor) on the product. –And one last reminder. Be sure that you place your Protector on the floor or mounted on the wall where you won't accidentally hit the on/off switch and cause yourself a spike in blood pressure.
Additional Information
Computer PowerCenter
Monster Power
http://www.monstercable.com
Amazon Price: $29.95
Monster Cable Surge Protector
http://www.monstercable.com
Amazon Price: $79.87
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